China's foreign trade growth continued to pick up in the first quarter, as the country's supportive policies initiated last year began to take effect amid the improving economy.[Hong Kong company registration]

In the first quarter, China's foreign trade -- exports and imports combined -- increased 13.4 percent year-on-year to US$974.67 billion, faster than the country's 6.2-percent trade growth for 2012, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said Wednesday.

Trade surplus expanded to US$43.07 billion from US$210 million during the same period last year.

In March alone, [Set Up Company Hong Kong]China's exports increased 10 percent year-on-year, narrowing from the 21.8 percent rate seen in February, while imports growth bounced back to 14.1 percent following a 15.2-percent drop in the previous month, the GAC said.

The month saw a trade deficit of US$880 million, in contrast with the US$15.25 billion surplus in February. [Hong Kong Company Formation]